Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial

Pastor dedicated to bringing good news to Florida’s schools

  • January 6, 2022
  • Florida Baptist Witness
  • Florida, Latest News
(Courtesy of Florida Baptist Witness)

Pastor dedicated to bringing good news to Florida’s schools

As pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Citrus Springs since 2007, Jess Burton has sought ways to impact his community with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He is especially dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young students in Citrus County’s local schools through Good News Club. “For many children, this is the only church in their lives,” the pastor said.

Burton was first introduced to Good News Clubs when he attended a club in elementary school as  a kid. He began volunteering as a teacher about 15 years ago after attending a fundraising event, sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship, the parent organization of the after-school program.

A win-win

Now at age 70, he’s been volunteering with the club at Romeo Elementary in nearby Dunnellon for the past decade. He said the clubs are a win-win. Not only do the students hear the gospel, but “these clubs are a lot of fun for the kids.”

Burton thinks Good News Clubs is a “wonderful place for retirees to have a vital ministry,” he said. ‘It’s like you’re serving as surrogate grandparents. It’s the joy of my week.”

Good News Clubs are an after-school program held weekly at elementary schools. The structured program lasts anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours and includes a Bible story and a variety of activities with an evangelistic focus, including prayer time and singing. Participating students must receive parental approval to attend.

Burton serves as CEF’s Florida state president. The organization has been coordinating the clubs in America’s schools for more than 80 years.

Gary Townsend, Florida Baptist catalyst for the North region, said many Florida Baptist churches engage local schools through Good News Clubs. “This is a great Kingdom partnership that works well to the glory of God.”

In Marion County, all but one of the 25 elementary schools have Good News Clubs, said Townsend, adding that First Baptist Church in Ocala has provided CEF with office space for several years. “Throughout this region most of the associations have churches involved in Good News Clubs.”

Working in partnership with CEF “has been a huge blessing for local churches not having to reinvent the wheel,” Townsend noted. “The materials use story form to connect with the children and the gospel is proclaimed. Schools recognize Good News Clubs. Most principals welcome them.”

Having been on a hiatus since spring 2020 due to COVID-19, organizers and volunteers with Good News Clubs are anxious to return to Florida’s elementary schools and share the love of Christ with students.

“We’re pumped and ready to get going,” Burton said. “Some schools are beginning to open back up to visitors now, and more are expected to open in the spring.”

Needing more sponsors

The organization is looking for more church sponsors. All volunteers who serve as teachers and leaders in this program must have background screenings by CEF and the school. CEF provides extensive basic training for all leaders and volunteers.

“I’ve taken the trainings, and they are some of the best Bible teaching training I’ve ever had. I’ve even used some of those teachings in my preaching,” said the Citrus Springs pastor.

While the clubs are great for introducing children to the gospel, Burton said they do not take the place of the church. Instead, they partner with churches to reach local children. When boys and girls make decisions of faith, club leaders share that information with their parents and share with them local churches they may want to consider attending.

The biggest need right now, Burton said, is getting more churches to sponsor Good News Clubs in their neighboring schools.

“We have schools across the state who would like to have a Good News Club. The biggest challenge is finding a church to sponsor it,” Burton said. “Our schools are inviting Good News Clubs and inviting God back in our schools. We just need to recruit more churches to take up these opportunities.”


EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was written by David Moore and was originally published by the Florida Baptist Witness, newsjournal of the Florida Baptist Convention.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for August 21
    Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for August 21
    August 15, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • New book, Facebook group help churches leverage the internet for outreach, communication
    New book, Facebook group help churches leverage the internet for outreach, communication
    August 15, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • Small changes make big difference for Texas church
    Small changes make big difference for Texas church
    August 14, 2022/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for August 21

GOD HEARS 2 Kings 19:10–19, 32–34 The Taunt (10–13) Here in Alabama, we take our sports rivalries seriously, and trash talk is something of an

New book, Facebook group help churches leverage the internet for outreach, communication

Katie Allred enjoys helping people learn how to share the gospel on the internet. It is a passion and career she stumbled into unexpectedly —

Small changes make big difference for Texas church

When guests visit Coulter Road Baptist Church, they are greeted with clearly marked parking, a diverse welcome team and a clear way to get plugged

person holding white Android smartphone in white shirt

‘One-stop shop’: New app designed to plug men into discipleship

For men striving to follow Jesus, advice from churches and ministries can take different forms. But sometimes it takes out-of-the-box thinking to make the right

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
Menu
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
Menu
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
Menu
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209

Copyright © 2022 TAB Media Group

  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Menu
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel